CITY ATTORNEY

AT-WILL OPPORTUNITY

The selected candidate will be required to enter into a formal employment agreement outlining the terms and conditions of employment. Final appointment to the position is contingent upon the negotiation and approval of this agreement by the City Council.

DEFINITION

AT-WILL OPPORTUNITY

The selected candidate will be required to enter into a formal employment agreement outlining the terms and conditions of employment. Final appointment to the position is contingent upon the negotiation and approval of this agreement by the City Council. FLSA STATUS: Exempt FIRST REVIEW DATE: October 18, 2026 The City of Stockton is seeking to fill one (1) vacancy for the City Attorney. The ideal candidate will be of the highest integrity and genuinely committed to developing a strong customer service ethic, responsive to organizational needs, and open and honest in all internal and external relationships. The desired candidate will be known for the use of innovative, forward-thinking, and creative methods in planning for workforce development. Candidates must be capable of managing extraordinarily complex issues in the context of an overall management team and be action-oriented and passionate about change and innovation. Candidates for this position should be exceptional leaders, capable of planning and directing the services of the City Attorney's Office and coordinating efforts with other divisions and City departments within a sophisticated, fast-paced environment. This is a Confidential At-Will (Unclassified/Unrepresented) position. In accordance with the Charter of the City of Stockton, Article XIII Section 1302, the City Council shall appoint the City Attorney. Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting. Under policy direction of the City Council, acts as the Chief Legal Officer of the City with responsibility for all aspects of the City's legal work, whether performed by professional in-house staff or outside counsel; acts as the legal representative in City matters for all elected and appointed officials and City departments; performs related work as assigned by the City Council.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This single position class manages all City legal activities, including civil and criminal litigation, whether performed by in-house staff or outside counsel. Responsibilities include personally handling sensitive and complex legal matters and rendering advice and opinions to the City Council, City boards and commissions, and City departments. PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only) Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Advises the City Council on all legal matters and attends City Council meetings to provide legal advice. Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures, budget and work standards for the Law Department. Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the activities of professional, support and contract staff; selects assigned staff and provides for their training and professional development. Supervises the institution and defense of all litigation involving the City. Studies and interprets laws, court decisions and other authorities and provides legal advice to all City boards and commissions, the City Council and City departments regarding legal implications of all City operations. Evaluates all legal complaints filed against the City and recommends appropriate action. Defends the City and its employees in lawsuits against them for acts done in #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Stockton, CA